“SciFi Worlds: Fact or Fiction?”
Science Fiction is full of many out-of-this-world planets. Is it possible for any of these worlds to actually exist?​ During this live planetarium presentation, we will travel to some of our favorite fictional planets and compare them to some of the planets that have in fact been discovered so far. (~35 minutes)

Motions and Patterns – How do the sun, moon and stars move across the sky? Why does it dark so early in the winter yet the sun is still up at bedtime in the summer? Discover motions and patterns in the sky, make and take your own constellation and travel around the world to see how other see the sky.

This show is specially designed for our youngest visitors aged 3-12. Cost: $6 per child. Adults free. Runs Saturdays in November at 12:30 pm and 2 pm. Approx. 45 mins.

This show is specially designed for our youngest visitors aged 3-12. Use your imagination to find creatures in the night sky, build a Frankenstein satellite, and take a tour of the Sea of Serpents on the Moon, the Witch’s Head Nebula and other spooky places in the Universe. Saturdays in October @ 12:30 pm and 2 pm. Approximately 45 minutes. Price is $6 for children and free for adults.

We are VERY excited about the upcoming eclipse, are you? Join us on eclipse day! Here are some details.

You do NOT need to buy or reserve tickets for the eclipse viewing. Just show up.

We will be viewing the eclipse outside both in front and behind the Rainier building.

The planetarium presentation inside the Science Dome explaining the ins and outs of solar eclipses is at 8:30 am, 9:15 am, 11 am and 11:45 am, first-come, first-served – no reservations (Red times just added so we can accommodate more people.)

Parking – The “A” parking lot is the closest to the Rainier building/eclipse viewing, but be prepared to walk across campus if it is full. Here is a campus map. Please do not park in the employee parking. All other parking is fine.

Save the date for this, you don’t want to miss it!

On August 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse will cross the continental United States from Salem, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina. This is the first time a total solar eclipse will cross coast-to-coast since 1918!
We are just outside the path of the TOTAL eclipse. From Lakewood 94% of the sun will be blocked by the moon! Join us in viewing this spectacular event!

-We will provide SAFE ways to view the eclipse*
-Live stream of the TOTAL eclipse rain or shine
-Presentations in the Science Dome describing what happens during a solar eclipse

How do rockets work? What parts do they have? Where do they take us? Junior Explorers can learn the answers to these questions in our new children’s show 3-2-1 Blast Off! Our young astronauts (ages 3-12) will embark on Orion Mission 74 and learn the ins and outs of rockets, build their own rocket and have a rocket race!

3-2-1 Blast Off! starts Saturday April 1st and will run through May at 12:30 and 2 pm. Price is $6 per child ages 3-12. Tickets can be purchased online through the link below OR at the door. Please keep in mind that children’s shows often sell out and we recommend purchasing tickets before heading out the door to ensure a seat. You only need to purchase/reserve seats for children, adults get in free.

Our newest show for our youngest visitors (recommended 3-12) starts this Saturday January 28, 2017 and will run through March. Saturdays at 12:30 and 2 pm. $6 per child. Adults get in free.

Motions and Patterns – How do the sun, moon and stars move across the sky? Why does it get dark so early in the winter yet the sun is still up at bedtime in the summer? Discover motions and patterns in the sky, make and take your own constellation and travel around the world to see how others see the sky.